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Best Kentucky Private Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 378 private schools serving 71,692 students in Kentucky (there are 1,534 public schools, serving 656,857 students). 10% of all K-12 students in Kentucky attend private schools (compared to the national average of 10%).
The average private school tuition is $8,954 for elementary schools and $9,499 for high schools (view national tuition averages).
The top-ranked private schools in Kentucky include Sayre School, Villa Madonna Academy, and Highlands Latin School.
The average acceptance rate is 85% (view national acceptance rates). Minority enrollment is 13% and the student-teacher ratio is 12:1.
76% of schools are religiously affiliated, with most being Catholic or Christian.

Overview

This State (KY)
US
# Schools
378 Schools

Student Body:

# Students
71,692 Students
5,709,171 Students
% Average Students of Color
13%
34%

Student By Grade

Academics and Faculty:

# Teachers
5,916 Teachers
507,987 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
11:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
72%
55%
Average Class Size
16 students
15 students
Average Number of AP Courses
13 courses
13 courses
Average SAT score
1313
(Out of 1600)
1233
Average ACT score
26
(Out of 36)
26

Tuition and Acceptance Rate:

Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$10,384
$14,886
Average Summer Program Cost
$857
$1,157
Average % on Financial Aid
28%
35%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$4,456
$7,120
Average Acceptance Rate
85%
82%
Average Endowment Size
$35.41 million
$61.58 million

Students by Ethnicity:

0.49
0.65
# American Indian Students
114 Students
30,180 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
1,489 Students
265,302 Students
% Asian Students
2%
5%
# Hispanic Students
1,874 Students
507,894 Students
% Hispanic Students
3%
9%
# Black Students
2,122 Students
417,176 Students
% Black Students
3%
7%
# White Students
46,845 Students
2,937,446 Students
% White Students
68%
52%
# Hawaiian Students
147 Students
22,254 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
% of Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
# Others Students
16,486 Students
1,474,106 Students
% of Others Students
24%
26%
All Ethnic Groups

Extracurriculars and Sports:

Average Number of Extracurriculars
9 extracurriculars
9 extracurriculars
Average Number of Sports
8 sports
7 sports

Top-Ranked Kentucky Private Schools by County (2026)

County
# Schools
# Students
% of K-12 Students in Private Schools
16
1,595
7%
19
2,865
20%
36
8,742
17%
90
28,203
23%
43
8,130
27%
9
1,384
16%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked private schools in Kentucky?
The top-ranked private schools in Kentucky include Sayre School, Villa Madonna Academy, and Highlands Latin School.
How many private schools are located in Kentucky?
There are 378 private schools are located in Kentucky.
How much do private schools cost in Kentucky?
The average private school tuition in Kentucky is $8,954 for elementary schools and $9,499 for high schools
How diverse are private schools in Kentucky?
Approximately 13% of students in Kentucky private schools are minority students (compared to the national percentage).
What percentage of students in Kentucky go to private school?
10% of all K-12 students in Kentucky attend private schools (compared to the national average of 10%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in Kentucky?
76% of private schools in Kentucky are religiously affiliated, with most being Catholic or Christian.
Which private schools in Kentucky are often viewed compared to one another?

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